Multiplex communications – Special services – Conferencing
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-12
2001-02-06
Patel, Ajit (Department: 2738)
Multiplex communications
Special services
Conferencing
C370S352000, C379S202010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06185194
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to initiating telephone calls and more particularly to using the Internet to initiate a telephone call.
Traditionally, the telephone has been the fastest and most convenient means of communicating information from one destination to another. A user can simply pick up the telephone, dial a telephone number, and connect to a particular individual. With the increasing use of personal computers, many users are now utilizing their telephones in conjunction with their personal computers to further enhance the speed, convenience, and functionality that telephones already provide. Accordingly, there are many computer systems that contain software programs to initiate a telephone call from a personal computer. For example, one software program allows a user to access a Rolodex directory of names from a personal computer to select and place a telephone call to a particular entity. The personal computer software initiates the telephone call when the user clicks on a phone number to call. Once the telephone begins dialing, the user must pick up the telephone to speak to the entity called.
The Internet provides users with another means of communicating information, ideas, and messages. The Internet is a global network which allows users to access information through the use of a Web browser. The Web browser accesses a particular Web server through the Internet link.
By connecting to the Internet, the user can then retrieve a multitude of Web sites. A Web site is a series of screen displays (Web pages) consisting of text, pictorial, and other information about a particular subject, organization, or company. A particular Web site can be retrieved from the Internet by specifying its Web site address to the Web browser.
It has been recognized that sound, and thus telephone calls, can be encoded and transmitted over the Internet, and hardware and software have been developed for this. The user maintains a direct connection to the called party through the Internet link without ever using a telephone line. One disadvantage of the direct connection through the Internet is that there may a time delay in voice transmission and the voice sometimes becomes distorted and unclear.
Whatever method is used for placing calls, the telephone number often may be first found in a phone directory. More recently, a user can access a Web site having an Internet directory, such as the Zip2 Web site, to view different businesses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention uniquely combines the best aspects of the Internet and the Public Switched Telephone Network (“PSTN”) for calling an entity displayed on a monitor. A user provides an input to the computer to initiate a call. The call request data is received at a Web site providing the display, and is relayed over the Internet to a call center. The call center establishes the desired phone connection over the PSTN.
The call center can establish the call, even though it is not at either end of the desired call, by using a conference call feature. By establishing call centers in different geographic locations, the cost of calls can be reduced by choosing a call center in a time zone with the lowest rates available for the particular connection desired.
Preferably, the Web site accessed to place the call has a business directory, with a phone icon for a business to allow call initiation. The Web site will also contain billing information such as business address, contact person, and telephone number. The business directory typically already provides reverse billing for the listing, and thus can be used like an
800
service, to bill the business for the telephone call instead of the user.
Additionally, the business directory preferably has an associated map database to provide directions to a business. The map database has longitude and latitude coordinates which can be used, in combination with a calling rates database to determine the location of a call center with the lowest calling rate available for the particular call. The unique combination of a business database, a map database, and a calling rates database makes this viable.
Advantages of the invention include combining a business directory with a map directory to provide a connection to a call center. Further, the invention provides the user with a call center having the lowest calling rate available. Additionally, a call center to establish the desired phone connection over the PSTN is provided.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5867495 (1999-02-01), Elliott et al.
patent: 6026087 (2000-02-01), Mirashrafi et al.
patent: WO 97/22210 (1997-06-01), None
patent: WO 97/22211 (1997-06-01), None
Apr. 3, 1997 printout of web site: http://www.sprint.com/web-to-phone/.
Apr. 3, 1997 printout of web site: http://www.sprint.com/web-to-phone/demo.html.
Apr. 3, 1997 printout of web site: http://www.sprint.com/web-to-phone/more.html.
Apr. 3, 1997 printout of web site: http://www.sprint.com/web-to-phone/apps.html.
Dukic Aleksandar
Musk Elon
Patel Ajit
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
Zip2
LandOfFree
System and method for initiating a telephone call utilizing... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with System and method for initiating a telephone call utilizing..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and System and method for initiating a telephone call utilizing... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2605234